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The Small Hive A serious new threat to European apiculture

About this leaflet This leaflet describes the (Aethina tumida), a potential new threat to UK . This beetle, indigenous to Africa, has recently spread to the USA and where it has proved to be a devastating of European bees. There is a serious risk of its accidental introduction into the UK. Introduction: the small hive beetle problem

The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida It is not known how the beetle reached either (Murray) (commonly referred to as the 'SHB'), the USA or Australia, although in the USA is a major threat to the long-term shipping is considered the most likely route. sustainability and economic prosperity of UK By the time the beetle was detected in both beekeeping and, as a consequence, to countries it was already well established. agriculture and the environment through disruption to pollination services, the value of The potential implications for European which is estimated at up to £200 million apiculture are enormous, as we must now annually. assume that the SHB could spread to Europe and that it is likely to prove as harmful here The beetle is indigenous to Africa, where it is as in Australia and the USA. considered a minor pest of honey bees, and until recently was thought to be restricted to that continent. However, in 1998 it was Could the SHB reach the UK? detected in and it is now widespread Yes it could. There is a serious risk that the in the USA. It is called the small hive beetle SHB could be transported and introduced into to distinguish it from other minor pests of bee the UK, for instance: hives in Africa, known as large hive . within imported honey bees (particularly package* bees and complete colonies) At the time of writing, the SHB is not in swarms of bees or feral colonies thought to be present in the UK. inadvertently carried on container shipping or airfreight The beetle can multiply to huge numbers in used beekeeping equipment, comb and within infested colonies where it eats brood, destroys combs and if uncontrolled ultimately on imported goods such as fruit destroys them. in soil material, for instance with imported plants or carried on heavy machinery The resulting economic impact on the beekeeping industry in the USA has been (*A bee package is a queen plus 10,000 severe. Within two years of its discovery, at worker bees despatched in a sealed screened least 20,000 colonies were destroyed by the container) beetle, costing many millions of dollars. It has also been found in , Canada where it arrived with beeswax imported from the USA.

In October 2002, it was found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The economic consequences to the beekeeping industry in Australia are likely to be extremely serious, jeopardising bee exports, pollination services and honey production.

2 Small hive beetle biology

The small hive beetle belongs to a family of scavenger beetles known as the Nitidulidae. Many of them are pests of fruit and stored food, and some like the SHB have a close association with social hymenoptera (bees, and ants).

Adult beetle anatomy Adult beetles are oval in shape, 5-7 mm long and 3-4.5 mm wide. Immediately after emergence they are coloured reddish-brown, but darken to dark brown or black when fully mature. There is some variation in size but they are about one- third the size of a worker Fig 3. Black adult SHB clearly visible on hive bee. They have club shaped antennae, their frame. They can also be found hiding in bodies are broad and flattened dorso- empty cells at the margins of the brood nest ventrally, their wing cases (elytra) are covered with fine hairs and are short so that a few Egg laying and Alternative Diets segments of the abdomen are visible. Adult beetles are attracted to bee colonies. Once inside, adult beetles lay eggs in irregular masses in hive crevices or brood combs. The eggs are white and about 1.5 x 0.25 mm. Beetles can, however, survive and also lay eggs on a range of fruit, particularly melons. However, it is not known if beetles regularly eat fruit as an alternative food source, or whether this is important for their spread. Fig 1. View of beetle’s head and club shaped antennae Adult beetles are able to survive for up to 2 weeks without food or water. On used brood combs they are able to survive up to 50 days.

Larval development After 2-6 days SHB eggs hatch, and the young beetle larvae begin to feed.

SHB larvae have characteristic rows of spines on the back and 3 pairs of tiny prolegs near the head (which distinguishes them from wax moth larvae). After 10-14 days, the larvae Fig 2. View of beetle’s abdomen showing have completed their growth and measure shortened wing case (elytra) 10-11 mm in length. 3 Emergence of adults Adult beetles first emerge on average 3-4 weeks later.

About one week after emergence adult beetles search for colonies in which to lay eggs. They disperse rapidly over large distances (perhaps 5-10 miles).

CSL small hive beetle surveillance The SHB is not thought to be present in the UK. However, from 2003, CSL bee inspectors are increasing statutory surveillance programmes to monitor for SHB presence. The NBU will use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to prioritise this programme and target identified as "At risk". For instance, apiaries situated: in warmer parts of the country on sandy soils (suitable for SHB Fig 4. Views of small hive beetle larvae development) showing three pairs of prolegs and distinctive close to civilian and military airports rows of spines, with two large spines close to freight depots and ports of entry - protruding from the rear for instance for fruit and other foodstuffs close to other apiaries containing Reproductive potential imported bees from countries where the Small hive beetles have a huge reproductive SHB is known to be present potential. Individual female beetles are capable of producing up to a thousand eggs during their 4-6 month life.

Pupation The next phase of the SHB's lifecycle takes place in the soil. Mature larvae will often mass on the hive bottom board and in corners of frames before moving outside. If feeding and developing on fruit, once mature they will attempt to crawl away looking for soil. Fig 5. Use of GIS to identify apiaries at potential risk 4 Small hive beetle facts

Latin Name Aethina tumida (Murray). Common name The Small Hive Beetle (often abbreviated to "SHB"). Host Mainly lives and breeds on its primary host the - in colonies, stored comb and beekeeping equipment, but it can also survive and reproduce on certain types of fruit, particularly melons. SHB lifecycle Adult beetles lay large numbers of eggs in the hive. Beetle larvae eat brood, and honey. Larvae crawl out of the hive to pupate. Pupation usually occurs in soil outside the hive. Preference for warm sandy soils. Adults can fly at least 5 miles to infest new colonies. Current distribution Indigenous to Africa. First found in United States (Florida) in 1998. Now widespread in the USA. First found in Australia (Queensland, New South Wales) in 2002. Well established. Detected in Canada (Manitoba) in 2002. Not yet established. UK status Exotic pest not currently considered present in the UK. Quarantine pest status with surveillance programmes in place. Methods of spread Spread by movement of package bees, honey bee colonies, swarms, , beeswax, soil, and fruit. Adults can survive for two weeks without food and water, 50 days on used comb and several months on fruit. Damage caused to In Africa it is a minor pest to beekeeping as native African beekeeping bees have natural defences. For European honey bees in America and Australia (and therefore almost certainly the UK) the SHB is an extremely serious problem. The beetles multiply to huge numbers, their larvae tunnel through comb to eat brood, ruin stored honey, and ultimately destroy infested colonies or cause them to abscond. Control methods The SHB cannot be eradicated once well established. In the used overseas USA, control SHB by using pesticides within the hive and in the surrounding soil, together with improved bee husbandry and changes to honey handling procedures.

5 3 2 There can be up to 30 larvae per cell. There is no webbing or frass like wax moth infestation 4 Adults can locate colonies long distance, Adults lay masses of eggs two - thirds the size bee eggs in hive crevices and on combs. Eggs Laying adult females often hatch 2-6 days later. lay masses of eggs at the same time Larvae and adults preferentially Larvae and adults consume bee eggs and brood, as well honey and pollen. of thousands larvae Tens can be produced in each hive. 1 5 (Aethina tumida) small hive beetle small hive The life cycle ofThe cycle life the 3 Feeding activities of the larvae and spoilage of honey. causes fermentation Severe damage can occur in honey houses. It has a slimy appearance and smells of ‘rotten oranges’ 6 Life cycle is completed in the soil. Larvae mature in 10-14 days and measure 10-11mm when fully grown. They crawl out of the hive at Adult beetles hatch in the soil. night to pupate They measure out on average 3-4 weeks later. 5-7mm (one - third the size of a ) and are dark reddish brown to black clump Larvae often together in combs cells and in the corners of frames Close up of ‘Maggot-like’ SHB : Note spines on the dorsum and 3 prolegs near the head. Larvae reach maturity in 10-14 days and measure 11mm 6 Further help and advice

Have I found a small hive beetle? Check to see if those you have found match Larvae the key identification points below.  size: 10-11mm  colour: beige Adult beetles  spines on dorsum  size: 5-7mm  3 pairs prolegs  colour: black  Infested fruit/contaminated  clubbed antennae  behaviour: hides from the light Eggs  short wing cases  size: 1.5 x 0.25 mm (two-thirds size of honey bee eggs)  colour: white  location: masses of eggs eg within fruit consignments

Sending suspect SHB samples to The National Bee Unit the NBU The Central Science Laboratory National Bee Suspect SHB adults or larvae should be sent Unit (NBU) provides a statutory and advisory to the NBU for examination in a sealed service to beekeepers in England and Wales. container, such as a plastic tube or stiff It provides diagnostic, consultancy and cardboard box. research services to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Please provide as many details as possible of National Assembly for Wales Agriculture where the sample was found (including, Department (NAWAD), commerce and where possible, its Ordnance Survey map beekeepers. The Unit has modern facilities, reference) and its country of origin if found on including laboratories with first class computer imported goods. support, as well as 150 colonies and the buildings to support them. Do not send live beetles in the post. Kill them first by keeping them in a freezer overnight or by putting them in 70% ethanol (e.g. methylated spirits).

Sampling forms and details are available to download from the NBU website www.nationalbeeunit.com or contact the NBU Laboratory

Fig 6. Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York

7 UK information sources Overseas information CSL National Bee Unit (NBU) NSW Department of Agriculture, Australia Central Science Laboratory Web: www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/16402 National Bee Unit Sand Hutton, York Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Australia North Yorkshire Web: www.dpi.qld.gov.au/bees/ YO41 1LZ Tel: 01904 462510 Department of , University of , USA Fax: 01904 462240 Small Hive Beetle Fact Sheet email: [email protected] Web: www.bugwood.org/factsheets/small_hive_beetle.html Web: www.csl.gov.uk Web: www.nationalbeeunit.com Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, USA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Web: doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/aethinanew.htm Horticulture and Potatoes Division Eastbury House United States NAPIS Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey 30/34 Albert Embankment Programme London Web: www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/shb/ SE1 7TL Tel: 020 7238 1047/1045 USDA Bee Research Laboratory Web: www.defra.gov.uk Beltsville, , USA Bee health pages: Web: www.defra.gov.uk/hort/bees.htm Web: www.barc.usda.gov/psi/brl/

National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department USDA Beneficial Research Center (NAWAD) Weslaco, , USA Agricultural Policy Division Web: weslaco.ars.usda.gov/biru.html Crown Buildings, Cathays Park Cardiff, CF1 3NQ Tel: 02920 825111 ARC Plant Protection Research Institute Honey Bee Research Caenarfon Divisional Office Stellenbosch, South Africa Penrallt Web: Caenarfon www.arc.agric.za/institutes/ppri/main/divisions/beekeeping/ Gwynedd honeybeeresearch.htm LL5 1EP Tel: 01286 662 012 Web: www.wales.gov.uk Acknowledgements Leaflet written by Mike Brown and James Morton of the CSL Bee Farmers Association of UK National Bee Unit on behalf of Defra Horticulture & Potatoes Web: www.beefarmers.co.uk Division, March 2003. The authors are grateful to the following for their photographs and technical assistance: Dr Mike British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) National Agricultural Centre Allsopp, ARC Plant Protection Research Institute, Stellenbosch, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire South Africa; Dr Jeff Pettis, USDA Bee Research Laboratory, United Kingdom, CV8 2LZ Beltsville, USA. (Figures 3, copyright Dr Jeff Pettis: Used with Tel: 01203 696679 permission); Prof Keith Delaplane, Department of Entomology, Web: www.bbka.org.uk University of Georgia, USA ; Dr Patti Elzen, USDA Beneficial Insects Research Centre, Kika de la Garza, Weslaco, Texas, International Bee Research Association (IBRA) USA. Other Photographs CSL Crown Copyright: Mike Brown 18 North Rd Cardiff (Figure 6), Garry Fry (Front cover, Figures 1, 2 and 4), James Wales, CF10 3DT Morton (Figure 5) and Design Linda Crossley, CSL, York Tel: 02920 372409

Web: www.ibra.org.uk Life Cycle Photographs: 1 and 5 Garry Fry, 2 and 6 Dr Patti Email: [email protected] Elzen, 3 and 7 Dr Jeff Pettis, 4 Jeff Lotz and Michael Thomas Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainsville, Florida 8